Starting device for electric motors or the like.



W. GRIEBE. STARTING DEVICE Eon ELECTRIC MoToEs 0R THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12, 1913*.

Patented Dec. 16. 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. GRIEBE. STARTING DBVIor: PoR ELEGTRIG MoToRs 0R THE LIKE.

` APPLICATION FILED IEB.12,`1913.'

I 1 ,081,827. Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITEDV STATES .PATENT FFIC.

` WILLIAM animar., or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

saremmo nevica 'ses staccare noroeste rsa man.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

useful Improvements in Starting Devices,

for Electric Motors or the like, of which the-following is a full yandclear specification. Y

This invention relates to devices embodying graded resistances forstarting motors or the like, and the primary object of this invention isto overcome certain inherent oblections appertaining to the com lioatedmounted on the walls or structure of resistance boxes as usua lylconstructed. Such resistance boxes are usually pinete of the meterroom, and according to t e usual construction, the graded resistancesare suspended 'within a ,box and connected up' with the putout ofcommission for some time and repairs made at the expense 'ofconsiderable time and labor. To overcome these diiliculties and toprovide a resistance box which can be used with motors of any de siredpower merely by inserting an easily removable portion embodying theproper graded resistances the present invention contemplates theprovision of suitable contacts in electrical connection with the motor,and a block or slide which can be instantly released and removed bodilyfrom the starting box and 'a new block or slide carrying like ordiierent resistance elements immediately installed so that when a mishapoccurs, or when it is desired tov employ the starting box with a machineof different power, the resistance elements can instantaneously removedand replaced without 'any appreciable delay. l

Qther and further objects will appear in 'the specification inconnection with fealtures pointed out in the appended claims,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which, v

Figure l is a front elevation of one embodiment of my invention with theslide or vplunger in raised position; Fig. '2 is a transverse section`on the line II-IL Fig. l, 'parte shown in plan; Fig. 3 is a verticalsection of the same on the line IIIQIII of Fig. 2, prts 'being shown inelevation;4 Fig. 4 is a front plan View of the starting box with thecover removed and the plunger or slide 1n lowered position, the wiringbeing shown diagrammatically. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary -sec'tion on theline V-V Fig. 3, parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 6 is a similarview just before the slide reaches the upper end of its movement; Fig. 7is a section on the `line VIL-VIL Fig. A; Fig. 8 is a fragmen taryelevation of the lowerends of the rails.

In the embodiment of my invention shown on the drawings, the 'startingbox is adapted in its entirety to be mounted upon a Wall, post or othersuitable support, by means of base 'board 1 to which a cover or housing2, 1s 'removably secured by means of the screw :bolts 3. When this coveris in place, the several parts of the device are Well protected fromdust and other foreign bodies which may becomev lodged therein, but whensaid cover is removed, all of the several parts are freely accessibleThis feature taken in connection with the constructive arrangement oftheresistance-elements on a bodily removable slidc to form a reciprocableplunger for varying the resistance in circuit with the electricalmachine, such e. g. as the mo tor shown on the drawings, renders thedevice far less 'intricate and more accessible than is generally thecase in starting boxes of well known design. Adjacent one corner of Ithebase board l are mounted binding posts 4 ando, which are connectedrespectively to the positive and negative mains 6 and 7 ofen electricalcircuit, by means of conductors 8 and 9, respectively.

Leading from the binding post 4, and connected to a supporting bracket11, is a conductor 10. A short wire 12 connects said bracket 11 with asimilar bracket 13 disposed above it, said brackets being adapted toreciprocably mount a pair of rods 14, 15, which are rigidly connected toa contact bar 16 which is slidably mounted on the base board 1. Asimilar contact bar 17 is also provided with rigidly mounted ntemuyprojecting pins 18 and 19 which project through holes in correspondinglyspaced brackets 20 and 21 which are connected by a conductor 22.Brackets. 11, 13, 20 and 21 are connected to the contact bars 16 and 17by means of wires 93, 24, 25 and 26. Cour pression springs 27, 28, 29and 30 serve to adjust. the contacting pressure between the bars 16, 17,and the contacts on the resistance carrying plunger. Extendinglongitudinally of the base board 1 and preferably between the bars 16and 17, are a pair of guiding contact rails 31 and 32 which serve toconstrain the movement of a slide or phmger to be presently describedwhile certain Acircuits are made and broken. The lower end of the guiderail 31 is electrically connected to the binding post 4 by the conductor33. The lower end of the rail 32 is connected by a wire 34 witha,binding post Another binding post 36 has the bracket 20 connectedthereto by a wire 37. Reciprocably mounted on the rails 31, 32 is aplunger which comprises a channel-shaped slide 38 (see Figs. 2 and 4)carrying a yoke bar 39 which is adapted to bridge the rails 31, 32except when said plunger is in lowermost position when said yoke barengages a pair of detached sections 40 and 41 which are insulated fromthe rails 31 and 32 (see Figs. 4 and 8). Adjacent the upper end of rail32, is an insulated segment 42 which is connected to the binding post 5by means of a conductor 43. On the back of slide 38 and spaced from theupper end of the yoke bar 39, are a pair of contacts 44 and 45 which areconnected to opposite ends of a magnet coil 46 by means of Kwires 47 and48. Adjacent the upper edge of the base board 1, an armature 49 issecured to said base board which serves to hold the plunger in raisedposition by its reaction on the angularly disposed blades 50 which formcontinuations of the core of said magnet. The Contact segment. 45 is ofinsufficient size to bridge the gap between the rail 32 and segment 42.Along one edge of the slide 38 is secured a contact bar 51 which iselectrically connected by a bridge wire 52 to the lowermost of a seriesof Contact segments 53, said segments 53 being respectively connected tosuccessive sec tions of a resistance coil 54 by means of bridge wires55. i

Referringnow to Figs. 1 and 3, a plunger operating lever 56 is pivotedat 57 to the front wall of the cover or housing 2, said lever beingswung back and forth by means of handle 58 adjacent its outer end. Thelever 56 is provided with a longitudinal slot 57 Within which slides astud 58'r1 which yis threaded at its inner end to the slide 38 and has aknurled head 59 at its outer end. When the stud 58tl is taken out, theslide or plunger can be removed bodily through the lower end of thehousing without 'dismantling said housing which is provided with avertical slot 60 in the front wall of its cover. Referring now to Fig.4, the armature 61 of the motor shown in this embodiment, is connectedby a wire 62 with the binding post 36 and by another wire 63 with thenegative main 7. The eld 64 of said mot-or, is connected on one side bya wire 65 with the binding post 35 and on the other side is joined tothe wire 63 which leads to the negative main 7.

The operation of my improved starting boX will now be readily understoodand brieiy stated is as follows: When it is desired to start the motor61, the lever 56 is raised gradually. The first result is that the rails31 and 32 are bridged by the coil of magnet 46 through segments 44, 4,5and wires 47 and 48. This imperfectly energizes the field 64, the fullstrength of eld being built up after the yoke bar 39 bridges the rails31 and 32 and completes the circuit 6, 8, 4, 33, 31, 39, 32, 34, 35, 65,64, 63, and 7. Almost immediately the contact bar 51 and the uppermostsegment 53 respectively engage the contact bars 17 and 16 energizing thearmature of motor 61 under full resistance. As the upward movement ofthe plunger continues, the resistance is gradually thrown out. At theupper end of its stroke,the plunger is held in raised position by theenergization of the magnet- 46, by means of the following circuit, viz:binding post 6, conductor 8, post 4, conductor 33, rail 31, contact 44,wire 47, coil of magnet 46, wire 48, contact 45, segment 42, wire 43,binding post 5, wire 9 and negative main 7. In this way, should thecurrent be interrupted completely, the magnet 46 loses its magnetism andthe plunger drops of its own weight so that when the current again comeson, a sudden load will not be thrown on the armature windings. It will,of course, be understood that various modifications can be incorporatedin the embodiment shown on the drawings withoutdeparting from the spiritof my invention, as disclosed in the appended claims. The motor armaturecircuit which is progressively made thro-ugh the contact segments 53,comprises main 6, s, 4, 1o, i1, e3, 1e, 53, 55 or 5e, 5i, 17, e5, 20,37, 36, 62, motor 61, 63, and main 7.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spacedpositive and negative contact .members of an electric `cir- 115 cuit,with a graded resistance movably mounted to bridge the gap between saidcontact members and adapted to be removed as an entirety from itsoperative relation to said contact members.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spacedpositive and negative contact members, with a resistanceu member in theform of a sliding plunger provided with graded resistances adapted to125 lgridge the gap between said contact memers.

3. starting device for electric motors comprising spaced positive andnegative contacts, a slide slidably mounted with re- 130 mme? s'peet tosaid spaced contacts, graded resistances mounted on said slide, andmeans for successively bridging the spaced contacts with saidresistances comprising a contact on said slide in continuous electricalconnection with all of said resistances, adapted to contact with one ofsaid s yaced contacts, and a series of contacts on said sliderespectively connected to said resistances and adapted to contact withthe other spaced 4, The combination with an electric motor, of aStarting device therefor comprising spaced contacts electricallyconnected to said motor, a slide slidably mounted with respect to saidspaced contacts,

graded resistances mounted on said slide,

and means for successively bridging the spaced contacts with saidresistances, said means comprisin a contact strip extending alo A oneedge 0% the slide in electrical connection Withall of said resistances,and a series of contacts respectively connected to said resistances.l

5. The combination with an electric motor, of a starting device thereforcomprising spaced contacts electrically connected to said motor, a slideslidably mounted with respect to said spaced contacts, gradedresistances mounted on said slide, and means successively bridging thespaced contacts with said resistances, said means comprising a contactstrip extending along one edge of the slide in electrical connectionwith all of said resistances, and a series of contactsrespectivelyconnected to said resistanccs, said spaced` contacts beingresiliently mounted. l v

6. A starting device for electric motors comprising a pair' of spacedpositive and negative contacts adapted to be connected to the oppositeterminals of aV motor, a slide,

resistances mounted on said slide to successively bridge said spacedcontacts when movement is imparted to said slide, and means for slidablymounting said slide in operative relation to said contacts.

7. A starting deviceV for motors, comprising a track, contacts adjacentsaid track, a slide on said track and resistances mounted on said slide,said resistances being thereby adapted to successively bridge saidcontacts.

8. A starting device for electric motors, comprising a pair ofapproximately upright spaced parallel contact strips, a resistance slideca a plurality, of resistance elements an `{suit-'ably mounted to slideover said spaced .contact strips, andmeans for rctainlngfsaid resistanceslide Vin operative relation to-"said contact strips, said resistanceelements-being adapted to successively bridge .the gap between saidspaced contact stripsandsaid slide being gravity actuated to move itinto inactive position when released.

9. A starting device for electric motors, 'comprising a ir ofpractically vertical, spaced, paralle contact stri a resistance slidecarrying a plurality ol resistance elements an IIlQunted to move insliding contact with said spaced contact strips, and electromagneticmeans for retaining said resistance slide in its raised position inoperative electrical relation to said contact strips, said resistanceslide being adapted to move down by gravity into inactive position whenreleased from Said electromagnetic means. h

10. A starting device for motors, comprising oppositely disposed4contacts adapted to be connected to a motor, a slide adapted toreciprocate between said contacts, said slide being provided with aconducting strip along one edge adapted to slidably engage one of said opositely disposed contacts, and a plurality o spaced contacts along itsother edge adapted to slidably-engage the other of said oppositedisposed contacts, and a resistance coil mounted on said slide, saidcoil being connected at one end to said conducting strip and havingsuccessive portions thereof electrically connected respectively to thecontacts arranged along the other edge of said slide. l

ll. A starting device for motors, comprising oppositely disposedcontacts adapted to be connected to a motor, a slide ada ted toreciprocate between said contacts, said slidev being 4provided with aconduct-ing strip along one edge adapted to slidably engage one of saidoppositely disposed contacts,

l and a plurality of spaced contacts along its give laterally as theslide moves back and forth. Y

12. In a start-ing device for electric motors, a base member, parallellyarranged metallic strips on said base member, said strips being adaptedto be electrically connected to a motor, a-,alide reciprocably mountedon said base member between said strips, said slide being provided witha metallic strip adapted to slidably engage one of said parallel stripsand a series of contact segments adapted to slidably engage the other ofsaid parallel strips, and a resistance coil connected at one endto saidstrip on the slide and comprising successive portions respectivelyconnected to said contact segments.

13. In a starting device for electric motors, a base member, parallellyarranged metallic strips on said base member, said strips being adaptedto be electrically connected to a motor, a slide reciprocably mounted onsaid base member between saidv strips, said slide being provided with ametallic strip adapted to slidably engage one of said parallel stripsand a series of contact segments adapted to slidably engage the other ofsaid parallel strips, and a resistance coil connected at one end to saidstrip on the slide and comprising successive portions respectivelyconnected to said contact segments, said base member being verticallyarranged and provided adjacent its upper end with electromagnetic meansfor sustaining the slide in upper position.

14. ln a starting device for electric motors, a base member, parallellyarranged metallic strips on said base member, said strips being adaptedto be electrically connected to a motor, a slide reciprocably mounted onsaid base member between said strips, said slide being provided with ametallic strip adapted to slidably engage one of said parallel stripsand a series of contact segments adapted to slidably engage the other ofsaid parallel strips, and a resistance coil connected at one end to saidstrip on the slide and comprising successive portions respectively conncted to said contact segments, said base member being verticallyarranged and provided adjacent its upper end With electromagnetic meansfor sustaining the slide in upper position, said electromagnetic devicebeing automatically connected up independently of the motor circuit atthe end of the slides upward movement.

15. A starting device for electric motors, comprising a base memberprovided With a pair of spaced rails, a slide provided With a baradapted to bridge said rails, said bar and rails being adapted toreciprocably mount the slide on said base member, spaced contactsarranged along opposite edges of said slide, said contacts being adaptedto be electrically connected With a motor, a conducting strip mounted onsaid slide to engage one of said contacts, a series of contact segmentsarranged to successively engage the other of said contacts, a pluralityof resistances mounted on said slide, said resistances being connectedup in series to said conducting strip and respectively connected to saidcontact segments, means adapted to connect one of said rails with thefield of said motor,

and means forconnecting the other of said rails With a source ofcurrent.

16. A starting device for electric motors, comprising a base memberprovided with a pair of spaced rails, a slide provided with a baradapted t bridge said rails, said bar and rails beingadapted toreciprocably mount the slide on said base member, spaced contactsarranged along opposite edges of said slide, said contacts being adaptedto be electrically connected With a motor, a conducting strip mounted onsaid slide to engage one of said contacts, a series of contact segmentsarranged to successively engage the other of said contacts, a pluralityof resistances mounted on said slide, said resistances being connectedup in series to said conducting strip and respectively connected to saidcontact segments, means adapted to connect one of said rails with thefield of said motor, and means for connecting the other of said railswith a source ot' current, an electromagnet carried on the upper end ofsaid slide, an armature therefor adjacent the upper ends of said rails,and means for energizing said magnet at the upper end of the slidesmovement.

17. A starting device for electric motors, comprising a base memberprovided With a pair of spaced rails, a slide provided with a baradapted to bridge said rails, said bar and rails being adapted toreciprocably mount the slide on said base member, spaced contactsarranged along opposite edges of said slide, said contacts being adaptedto be electrically connected with a motor, a conducting strip mountedo-n said slide to engage one of said contacts, a series of contactsegments arranged to successively engage the other of said contacts, aplurality of resistances mounted on said slide, said resistances beingconnected up in series to said conducting strip and respectivelyconnected to said contact segments, means adapted to connect one of saidrails with the field of said motor, and means for connecting the otherof said rails with a source of current, said slide being removable fromthe rails on Which it reciprocates.

WILLIAM GRIEBE.

Witnesses:

WM. E. KNIGHT, WVM A. COURTLAND.

